It was a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas through songs both new and old as the youth group of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite performed its annual Christmas Concert on Sunday.
The church was full of family, friends, and community on Dec. 14 as people came to enjoy the youth group, which has been performing at various seniors’ lodges and other small venues for the past month. The final show of the Christmas season is often the best one, and everyone puts their heart into it, explained one of four youth group leaders, Sharon Toews.
“We sing together a lot during the year, and practice (the Christmas concert) a few times before going out to perform,” she explained. “The first few are like practices so the best one is definitely the best.”
The youth group has been performing every Christmas now for several decades, with Toews herself taking part during her teenage years.
In addition to the songs – some of which were old favourites like Kings of Orient and Come All Ye Faithful, and some which were newer like Mystery of the Star and Sleep Holy Child – there was a Christmas poem read by Logan Wiede.
Not only was it a choir-like performance of Christmas music, but a display of melodic melding as three girls, Aleta Wohlgemuth, Angela Duerksen, and Heidi Unreh stepped forward to sing as a trio, performing O Holy Night.
After the concert, both youth singers and guests were able to enjoy homemade snacks and drinks and mingle, sharing the joy of Christmas with each other.